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"They're going to contrast the behavior of James Clapper, our national intelligence director, with Edward Snowden," said Paul. "Mr. Clapper lied in Congress in defiance of the law in the name of security. Mr. Snowden told the truth in the name of privacy."

Paul continued: "So I think there will be a judgment because both of them broke the law, and history will have to determine."

But the senator suggested his opinion of Snowden could change. "I do think for Mr. Snowden, if he cozies up to the Russian government, it will be nothing but bad for his name in history. If he goes to an independent third country like Iceland and if refuses to talk to any sort of formal government about this, I think there's a chance that he'll be seen as an advocate of privacy. If he cozies up to either the Russian government, the Chinese government, or any of these governments that are perceived still as enemies of ours, I think that will be a real problem for him in history."